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September–October 2017 Annual Subscription ` 80 September–October 2017 Annual Subscription ` 80/- 1 MAHANT SWAMI MAHARAJ IN HOUSTON & DALLAS, TX, USA 10–20 August 2017 1. A grand public satsang assembly for devotees and wellwishers in the Southwest region held at the Verizon Theater in Dallas (20 August). 2. Youths present a programme in an evening satsang assembly during Swamishri’s stay in Houston between 10 and 20 August. Inset: Swamishri on stage during an assembly. Title Page: Mahant Swami Maharaj in Robbinsville, NJ (29 August 2017). 2 September–October 2017, Vol. 40, No. 5 Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj SWAMINARAYAN AKSHARPITH CONTENTS 4 A Coarse Shawl 7 Adhyãy 4: Divine Birth and Actions 13 Gunatitanand Swami: A Brief Introduction 19 The Transforming Company of 57 Mahant Swami Maharaj’s Vicharan Gunatitanand Swami 61 Living with Swamishri 27 Inspirer of Spiritual Knowledge 63 Answers and Revelations 30 Mahant Swami Maharaj: 65 His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj UK & USA Vicharan Meets Former President Barack 51 Historic Acclamation of the Akshar- Obama Purushottam Doctrine in Kashi 66 BAPS News In April 1978, Pramukh Swami Maharaj inspired and inaugurated the first issue of Swaminarayan Bliss in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The bi-monthly magazine serves to enlighten BAPS youths, seniors and well-wishers about the glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the Akshar-Purushottam philosophy and the Gunatit guru parampara. It also seeks to inspire the universal values and traditions of Hinduism to pursue a happy and peaceful life by serving God and humankind. Founder: HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj SUBSCRIPTION RATES Editor: Sadhu Swayamprakashdas Outside India (By Air Mail) India Contributors: Sadhu Vivekjivandas, Sadhu Amrutvijaydas Rupees Pounds US Dollars Rupees Designer: Sadhu Shrijiswarupdas 1 Year 630 9 14 80 2 Years 1300 18 28 150 Published & Printed by: Swaminarayan Aksharpith, Shahibaug, 3 Years 1900 27 42 220 Ahmedabad - 380004. India September–October 2017 u Swaminarayan Bliss 3 SWAMINARAYAN HISTORY: Translation by Sadhu Vivekjivandas Each day, Jiva Khachar would send milk and curd for Shri Hari. He wished that Maharaj con- sumed them daily, but Shri Hari was more in- clined towards Dada Khachar’s hospitality and seva. Subsequently, when Jiva Khachar came to know of this he perceived human traits (manushy- abhav) in Maharaj and started criticizing Dada Khachar. But Shri Hari did not allow him to suc- ceed. This fuelled Jiva Khachar’s jealousy and rage all the more. After Shri Hari finished having lunch he came to Dada’s courtyard to serve food to the sadhus. While Maharaj was serving motaiya laddus Mulji Brahmachari fanned him and Vasudevanand Brahmachari mopped the sweat on his face and arms. Shri Hari celebrated the festivals of Sharad Punam, annakut and Dharmadev’s birthday on Prabodhini Ekadashi. HIS DEVOTION IS NOT COARSE A Coarse Shawl During the month of Magshar (November– After performing the murti-pratishtha December), in the winter season, Shri Hari gave darshan and discourses either in the Akshar Ordi of the shikharbaddha mandir in or the rooms in Dada Khachar’s darbar. On one Bhuj, Shri Hari returns to Gadhada. occasion while Maharaj was discoursing the shawl Here, he performs many lilas... draped around his shoulder slipped and fell on the floor. A devotee in the assembly got up and took out a thick shawl from his bag and wrapped n 1824, Shri Hari celebrated Janmashtami in it around Maharaj. Shri Hari was momentarily Gadhpur. He had invited devotees and sadhus startled at being draped with a weighty shawl. Ito attend the celebration. On looking up, he saw the devotee with folded hands. The new woollen shawl was coarse and PUJA OF ‘MOKSHA DHARMA’ SCRIPTURE thick. It was abrasive and would bruise anyone On the day of Dashera Shri Hari went to with a soft, thin skin. Lakshmi Vadi to perform the customary pujan Muktanand Swami was quick to perceive the of the shami tree. Here, he also worshipped a new rough and prickly shawl. He got up to take it copy of the Moksha Dharma scripture – which away, saying, “Here Maharaj, take this soft shawl was one of his favourite scriptures. Thereafter, and wrap it around yourself. This coarse shawl Maharaj sat and delivered a discourse and re- will bruise your skin.” turned to Dada’s darbar with all the sadhus and Shri Hari smiled compassionately and opined, parshads for lunch. “But Swami the devotee’s love is not coarse; it is 4 Swaminarayan Bliss u September–October 2017 soft and smooth. So, I find his thick shawl soft Shri Hari replied, “I have kept it for myself and silky. You can keep the soft shawl.” Shri Hari so I cannot give it to you. One can’t get a shawl thus returned it to Muktanand Swami. like this again.” Nityanand Swami and the other paramhan- Muktanand Swami added, “Maharaj, sas requested Maharaj to wear the soft shawl, Nirgunanandji [Gunatitanand Swami] is like but he declared, “I will now use this thick shawl Jad Bharat.1 If you give your shawl to him he all my life.” Everyone looked on helplessly. The will be happy.” Shri Hari smiled and got up, and devotee who had given his coarse shawl felt bad then took his thick shawl and draped it around and crestfallen. Shri Hari assuaged him, “Bhagat, Gunatitanand Swami, saying, “Here, take it you served me at the most opportune moment.” my Jad Bharat.” Swami then took it and left. From then onwards many paramhansas re- Thereafter, Muktanand Swami told the devotee, quested Maharaj to give them his coarse shawl, “Now you can drape Maharaj with your shawl.” but Shri Hari would instead wrap it tightly The devotee offered it to Shri Hari. around himself and remain relentless in his re- When the senior paramhansas came to know solve. Whenever a devotee offered him a thin, that Maharaj had at last parted with his coarse smooth shawl Maharaj would give it away and shawl and given it to Gunatitanand Swami and again tightly wrap himself with the coarse shawl. praised him as Jad Bharat they all realized the love Many times, Muktanand Swami, Nityanand Maharaj had for him. In addition, they also unani- Swami, Brahmanand Swami, Dada Khachar, Sura mously agreed that Swami was truly indifferent to Khachar and others tried to get the coarse shawl material comforts and unaffected by adversities. from Maharaj, but he did not succumb to their pleas or efforts. THOSE WHO ABIDE BY DHARMA AND BHAKTI ARE MY RELATIVES HERE, TAKE IT MY JADBHARAT Once, when Maharaj was discoursing to On 17 December 1823 (Magshar sud 15, a satsang assembly in Gadhada, a devotee an- A.S. 1880) a devotee had brought a new shawl nounced, “The family of Dharmakul has arrived and showed it to Muktanand Swami, saying, in Gujarat.” Immediately Muktanand Swami “Swami, I wish to offer this shawl to Shri Hari.” asked him, “From where did you get the news?” Muktanand Swami called Gunatitanand Swami “Kashidas of Bochasan informed me that Shri and told him, “Maharaj wraps himself with a Hari’s brothers and their family have arrived in thick, coarse shawl given to him by a pious devo- Bochasan from Bamangam. Thus, I have come tee. He does not part with it in spite of sadguru here to inform you that they will be here in two sadhus having asked him to give it up. Whenever to three days’ time.” anyone offers him a thin shawl he takes it and Muktanand Swami enquired, “Do you know gives it away. You go and ask Maharaj to give you the names of the family members?” his thick shawl.” Gunatitanand Swami agreed and “Yes Swami. Maharaj’s eldest brother is took Muktanand Swami and the devotee who Rampratapbhai, his wife is Suvasini Bhabhi had brought a new shawl with him. Gunatitanand and their eldest son is Nandram, and Maharaj’s Swami prostrated before Maharaj and humbly Uncle Vishram’s son is Manchharam. Then requested, “Maharaj, I don’t have a warm shawl Maharaj’s youngest brother, Ichchharam, and his to wrap myself with. Please give me your thick wife, Variyali, have three sons, Gopal, Sitaram, shawl.” Badrinath, and Sufal is their material uncle.” 1. One who is not interested in physical comforts and pleasures. September–October 2017 u Swaminarayan Bliss 5 Shri Hari was listening nonchalantly when Swami’s profound devotion and that was why Muktanand Swami asked, “Maharaj, Dharmadev’s he was able to guage Suvasini Bhabhi’s feelings family has arrived in Gujarat. Should we and the for him. Kathi Darbars go to receive them?” Muktanand Swami urged, “Maharaj, now Maharaj advised, “It will take two to three Suvasini Bhabhi is old. Your darshan will revive days for them to reach here. On the day after, her joy which had plummeted after your renun- Dada Khachar and Vasta Khachar can proceed ciation. If you go forward to give darshan to her ahead to honour them, and once the Dharmakul it will definitely add pride to your name and di- has arrived on the outskirts of Kariyani then all vinity. And if you don’t go then people will speak the sadhus and devotees can go to receive them.” unfavourably of you.” Shri Hari responded with Muktanand Swami asked Shri Hari, “Will you a calculated smile. not come?” Thereafter, Shriji Maharaj left Gadhada with Shri Hari replied, “I believed Dharmadev, my his entourage and travelled to Kariyani. father, to be an embodiment of dharma and hon- oured him, served him and finally granted him YOU SEEM TO BE A VERY WEALTHY moksha. I perceived Bhaktimata as an embodi- PERSON ment of bhakti, served her and also liberated her. In Kariyani, there was formerly an open space Wherever I am, my relatives, Dharma and Bhakti, instead of the shikharbaddha mandir that stands are with me.
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